May is Mental Health Month, so let’s talk about something too many of us carry in silence: our mental health.

It's okay not to be okay - even as a leader.

I’ve lived with anxiety since childhood—nights spent ruminating on worst-case scenarios that never came true. In my twenties, therapy taught me practical tools to manage that anxiety. Then came two babies…and postpartum depression twice over. Juggling a full-time leadership career, advanced degrees, parenting little ones, and running a household felt heroic on the outside and utterly unsustainable on the inside. I was exhausted and defeated, yet I kept going—because that’s what we were taught to do.

By my late thirties, depression and brutal mood swings joined the party, compounded by a relentless fatigue that no amount of sleep could fix. My doctors suspected perimenopause—and casually mentioned it could last fifteen years. I felt hopeless.

In my late forties, a diagnosis finally brought clarity: ADHD. My psychologist explained that estrogen dips make ADHD symptoms worse, and that anxiety and depression almost always accompany it in a “triad.” Suddenly, my lifelong overwhelm made sense. I felt validated, and—strangely—relieved.

Through all this, I held C-suite roles and managed four teenagers and a home. My responsibilities never paused because I was working 50–60 hours a week. The emotional labor of healthcare leadership, layered on top of my personal struggles, led straight to burnout.

Speaking openly about mental health wasn’t just therapeutic—it was transformational. As a senior executive, sharing my journey encouraged employees to seek help, too. Authenticity became my superpower and core value. Keeping my struggles hidden would have only deepened my burnout.

I share this now for two reasons:

1. You’re not alone if you’re wrestling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, or burnout.

2. Vulnerability builds trust. When leaders model authenticity, it humanizes us and gives others permission to ask for help.

If you’re feeling burned out, defeated, or disconnected from yourself, recovery is possible. It feels amazing to look in the mirror and recognize the person staring back. If you need support rediscovering your spark—at work and in life—I’m here. I see you. I’ve been you. And I can help you reclaim your energy and purpose.

Click here to start your journey from constant fight or flight to peace and purpose.